Chapter 2341
Chapter 2341
Those subtle expressions were swiftly caught by Justin, causing a faint glimmer in his dark eyes.
Not wanting to waste time debating with Jace, Justin gritted his teeth and turned around to head toward Mount Jaglee.
But before he could take a few steps, a bullet struck the ground right in front of him.
Even so, Justin kept his gaze fixed forward, refusing to stop, until another bullet shot through his right shoulder. Bang!
The intense pain made Justin's tall body tremble uncontrollably. He nearly collapsed, but he forced himself to stay upright.
Luckily, the injury was to his right shoulder this time. After all, his left shoulder could not withstand any more damage. One more injury and he would be completely crippled.
"One more step, and it'll be your left leg next." Jace spoke with a teasing tone, but his eyes were intense and urgent. "Come on, Justin, don't tell me you're trying to end up like your brother, stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of your life."
"If you're going to do it, just get it over with already." Justin's breathing was ragged as he clutched his injured shoulder and kept moving forward. "As long as I'm still breathing, I have to find Bella. She went up the mountain alone on a night like this, with such a fierce storm. Something terrible could happen to her!"
Jace froze in place, staring at Justin's resolute, unwavering figure.
The gun in his hand trembled slightly.
"Jace, if you want to target me or even take my life, we can settle this later. I won't back down. But now... Please let me find her."
with each word said, Justin felt his eyes turn red. A metallic taste filled his throat as he pleaded. "I'm begging you." For a moment, there was silence behind him. Taking that as permission, Justin quickened his pace.
"Justin." Jace suddenly called out.
Justin stopped, frowning as he turned to look back.
Amidst the howling wind and snow, their eyes met.
Jace abruptly raised his hand and tossed a black object toward Justin.
Justin caught it mid-air with his left hand and opened his palm, only to be shocked by what he saw.
It was Jace's car keys.
"Geez, you really are an idiot. What a complete mess." Jace sneered coldly, turning on his heel and striding away without a second glance. "Remember what you just said. Next time, I won't be holding back."
Clutching the car keys tightly, Justin stared after Jace's retreating figure, his voice hoarse and barely audible." Hugh..."
With Jace's car, Justin reached the base of Mount Jaglee in less than fifteen minutes.
By the time he arrived, Xavier had already assembled a search and rescue team to scour the mountain for Bella. They ran into Justin just as they were about to ascend.
"Mr. Salvador?!" Xavier exclaimed, surprised to see him.NôvelDrama.Org holds text © rights.
Under the glare of light, Xavier stared at Justin in shock. His face was pale, drained of color. "What took you so long? And what's the matter with you? You hurt or something?"
On the way, Justin had cleaned the blood from his hands and face with snow, but he still looked terrible.
The injury to his right shoulder was particularly painful, despite the cold slowing its progression.
The agony was excruciating, akin to being skinned alive, torturing him relentlessly with every passing second. "I'm fine. Where's Bella? Is there any news?" Justin asked urgently.
"No! Ms. Thompson's secretary contacted me. He's on his way here, but I will lead the rescue team up now to search for her. Ms. Thompson has some mountaineering experience and basic survival skills. Let's hope she's holding on."
Even as Xavier spoke those words, he was deeply worried. "But the weather is so harsh tonight! If she stumbles and falls off a cliff or gets buried in the snow"
Upon hearing this, those distressing thoughts sent shivers all over Justin. "I'll go up the mountain with you!"
"Mr. Salvador, what's going on between you and Ms. Thompson? Did you break up? Did you get into an argument?" Xavier sighed and looked at Justin with resentment.
"I know this is a private matter between the both of you and I shouldn't meddle. But Ms. Thompson is devoted to you. How could you bear to let her down? You don't know, do you? She was here all afternoon, waiting for you alone in the freezing cold, staring up the mountain, hoping you'd show up. I've known her for years, and I've never seen her looking so pitiful and heartbroken. That kind of pain-pouring everything into someone and getting nothing in return-it's unbearable just to think about!"
Justin's heart sank as he imagined Bella standing alone at the base of the mountain, waiting for him with quiet desperation.
His lips trembled, and his already unsteady frame seemed to crumble further under the weight of guilt.